May 8, 2000 - Former Van Halen vocalist Gary Cherone returned to the spotlight on May 3 when he performed at the Boston Rock Opera benefit for local industry personality Mikey Dee. Dee suffered a stroke on February 7 of this year while undergoing heart surgery.

Gary performed a Tommy medley, two songs from Jesus Christ Superstar (as Judas), the David Bowie classic Ziggy Stardust, and then tore it up in a solo performance of Love Reign O'er Me. He then joined the BRO chorus for the last song, the Beatles classic All You Need Is Love.

Cherone is currently working on material for a new album. The songs are reported to have an electronic/programmed feel, while incorporating a live drummer. No release date has been set.

Special thanks to Neal Hannan for the information and photo.

May 15, 2000 - Ever since it was announced that Gary Cherone was no longer with Van Halen, people have been speculating about the return of David Lee Roth. The internet rumour mills are almost all in agreement that Dave is indeed back in the band.

If you haven't heard that Dave is back in the band, you must have been living in a cave. A day doesn't go by on the Van Halen and David Lee Roth message boards without the "Dave Is Back" topic being discussed. Many are claiming to have the "inside scoop", citing sources such as Warner Bros. personnel, "insiders", roadies, singers, drummers etc. - right down to radio station interns.

Many key dates have also come and gone in the last six months. A New Years Eve announcement was widely tipped, but nothing eventuated. Then came the Grammy awards. Nothing. Some even suggested March 16 - Eddie's son, Wolfgang's birthday. No announcement was made.

April 1st, the 15 year anniversary of Dave's departure, was seen by many fans as a cool date to announce the return of Roth. The silence from Dave and Van Halen was deafening.

Early this month we were treated to the news that Dave had recorded a personalized song for Ashley Abernathy, a young girl battling leukemia. From the sound clip and photo on the Songs of Love web site, Dave looks to be in fine physical and vocal shape. Could he be preparing for the reunion tour that looked to be out of the question after the fiasco of 1996?

Today is seen by many on the Van Halen and David Lee Roth discussion boards as the day when fans have their prayers answered. The spirit of the faithful is high, and if the rumour of the big announcement turns out to be true, the sonic boom will be heard across the rock music world.

If an announcement is forthcoming, the VHND will be there with up-to-the-minute coverage of the big event. All graphics have been stripped in anticipation of record traffic. Hopefully this is the big day!! Fingers crossed!!!!

May 19, 2000 - Dave Valdez from the DLR Army web site recently scored an interview with former DLR Band drummer, Ray Luzier. In the interview, Luzier confirmed my report from April 24 this year that he had joined alternative band The Nixons.

When asked if DLR Band was a done deal, Luzier commented that he didn't think there would be another DLR Band release, but was hopeful that the band would re-unite with Dave sometime in the future.

The full interview can be found at the DLR Army site.

May 21, 2000 - The season finale of The Simpsons tonight featured an episode titled "Behind The Laughter". The show ran along the same lines of a VH1 "Behind The Music" special, and covered the breakup of The Simpsons.

After the disintegration of America's favourite dysfunctional family, Willie Nelson tried to get them to re-unite at an awards show. Lisa commented that the arrangement was just a scam to get them back together. Willie then mentioned that he was also trying to re-unite Van Halen and Sammy Hagar!

Eddie, Mike and Alex were seen sitting across the aisle from Sammy, who was alone in a red suit. Alex wore his trademark sunglasses while Eddie wore a striped jacket.

Special thanks to James Bowen for the screen shot!

May 26, 2000 (18:56 ET) - It is with great sadness that I report that Edward Van Halen yesterday began treatment in Houston for cancer of the tongue. The news was announced on local radio station KLOL this morning, and by MTV at 6pm ET this evening.

It is not the purpose of this, a fan web site, to report the personal health issues of the band. However, now that the news has been broken by MTV it is my obligation to fans of the band to report it. (The official Van Halen site confirmed the news at 21:13 ET.)

That's all I can say right now. My best wishes go to Edward and his family.

Related links: MD Anderson Cancer Center | Clinical Trials

May 30, 2000 - Doctors from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston said today that reports of Eddie Van Halen having cancer are wrong.

"There is some inaccurate information out and about ... Let me confirm that he does not have cancer," said spokeswoman Jane Brust to Reuters.

Brust said that Eddie had visited the hospital for a thorough examination and was found not to have cancer. She confirmed the report from Van Halen's official web site that Eddie had decided to take part in a clinical trial to prevent cancer.

My apologies to Eddie, his family and friends, and the visitors to this site for helping to spread false information. I was told of the treatment last Thursday and decided to keep it to myself out of respect for Eddie and his family. When the news broke on radio and MTV.com the next day, there was no need for me to sit on it any longer. Now I wish I had.